Council Hearing Reveals Guard Was Asleep During Prison Break
Amongst other revelations discussed at the most recent hearing of the City Council Committee on Public Safety regarding last May’s escape from the Philadelphia Industrial Correction Center, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the escape was aided, in part, by a guard asleep at their post.
Video evidence produced by the District Attorney’s office shows how easy it was for the inmates to escape their cells and make their way to outer fences that contain alarm sensors that have not been active in years due to area geese who routinely set them off.
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According to Krasner, the inmates made their escape from their cells through pre-cut holes in the fence in 90 seconds. The holes in the fence had been cut seven weeks prior to the escape, and prison personnel were aware of the holes for at least four days before the escape.
When they reached the holes in the fence, the inmates were stuck in a “dog-run;” an area between fences meant for dogs to patrol, for 30 minutes before they climbed a sensor pole to complete the escape. In that time, no dogs nor security personnel patrolled the area.
Prison official have made changes and upgrades to the facility, including repairing the damaged fence that allowed the prisoners to escape, new lighting, and other changes to the security perimeter have been made. Guard schedules have also been changed to allow more rest in between shifts.
Thomas Introduces School Hearing Resolution
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced a resolution “authorizing the Committee on Education to hold hearings to discuss problems and systemic biases in oversight that create inequalities between Black and white led schools, resulting in less support for Black founded and led institutions that are highlighted in the recently released report to the Philadelphia School Board.”
The resolution states that Black-led schools have been held to inconsistent and ever-changing standards, which has led to issues when the School District of Philadelphia reviews non-Distrcit led schools.
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Citing a recent report, the resolution says the School District has been aware of disparities in standards since 2017.
Lozada Looks to Modify Affordable Housing Definition
Councilmember Quetzy Lozada introduced a bill that would add the following language the city’s definition of affordable housing: “The property was developed with funding from and remains subject to the requirements of the New Markets Tax Credit Program, as authorized by 26 U.S.C. § 45D.”
The New Markets Tax Credit Program is a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) Fund program developed by the US Department of the Treasury.
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According to information provided by the Treasury Department, “the NMTC program incentivizes community development and economic growth through the use of tax credits that attract private investment to distressed communities.”
The Treasury Department reports NMTC funding has generated $8 of private investment for $1 of federal funding while creating 239 million square feet of manufacturing, office, and retail space. The program has provided funding to nearly 11,000 businesses across the country.
Councilmember Lozada’s office released additional information regarding the change, saying the Mixed Income Neighborhood Overlay, which covers certain parts of the 7th Distict, has requirements for affordable housing which are stricter than and do not comply with the requirements of the NMTC. This change will make it easier for nonprofit developers to take advantage of the NMTC program.
Lozada’s office said a developer in the 7th applied for the NMTC and want to be classified as affordable housing.
“My goal is to create the easier path to affordable housing as possible, and that is what this legislation does,” Lozada said via a statement.
Jones to Convene Hearing on Window Barnacles
Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced a resolution “authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings examining the use of vehicle immobilizing “window barnacles” as a form of predatory parking by private entities to understand the impact they have on Philadelphia’s residents.”
Rather than placing the traditional “boot” on the tire of a car with outstanding parking or traffic violations, a window barnacle is suctioned to the window of a car.
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According to the resolution, the barnacles weigh 20 ounces and stick to the windshields with 750 pounds of force. Should the car be driven with the barnacle attached, a high-pitched alarm will sound. The barnacle can be removed using a digital code.
One of the benefits to window barnacles is the ability to tow vehicles after they have been applied; traditional parking boots did not allow for towing prior to removal.
Other areas across the country have experimented with window barnacles, including Allentown, PA.
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